Julia Mina Photography, California Elopement Photographer

Ready for your
epic adventure?

let's make this the best one yet

best decision ever!

Let’s Plan Your Epic Adventure

I don’t take this lightly and feel overjoyed that you are looking to have an epic adventure! I do my best to get back to you within 48 hours or less!

★★★★★
"If you have any doubts about hiring her, toss them out the window because she will surpass all your expectations."

Not only is she talented and professional, but she’s also kind, funny, and artistic. I had to reschedule my elopement due to health issues, and Julia was incredibly understanding and accommodating. She went above and beyond to ensure everything worked out smoothly. We had FaceTime meetings where we created a detailed game plan for the day, and she was an excellent communicator throughout the process.

Julia is a true master of her craft. She knows the locations like the back of her hand and is always ready to offer ideas for beautiful locations and poses. In the days leading up to the big day, Julia kept us informed about the weather, what to expect, and even shared packing tips. She leverages technology to deliver messages and timelines in a way that is easy and intuitive to use. With Julia, you’ll never feel out of the loop or caught off guard.

On the day of the shoot, Julia let us know when she was on her way and arrived punctually. After introductions, she immediately sprang into action. It was amazing to witness her at work, as she was bursting with creative ideas that she executed flawlessly. She effortlessly adjusted the lighting and arranged the environment to bring out the best in our photos. Her attention to detail was remarkable as she carefully posed our rings, clothing, and us, ensuring that every shot looked incredible. Julia doesn’t simply ask you to stand there and smile; she ensures that the photo will be amazing and removes any distractions from the frame. Beyond her expertise, Julia is a wonderful human being. She’s easy to talk to, cracks jokes, and genuinely cares. I felt a genuine connection with her, which translated into stunning photos because I felt completely at ease being photographed by her.

The best thing about Julia is her artistic vision. She transforms what’s in front of her into pure art. She provided clear and enjoyable instructions to bring her creative visions to life and capture perfect photos. Some of our favorite pictures were ideas that originated from her. Additionally, she excels at capturing a couple’s unique personality and is open to any ideas you might have. Whenever I asked, “Can we take a picture like this?” her response was always a cheerful “Of course!” followed by instructions to help us capture it beautifully. The entire day felt like a fun-filled date that we wished would never end. We were a bit sad (despite being exhausted) when it was over.

– Mayra & Sam

FAQ

If you are planning to have an elopement or intimate wedding with 30+ guests, I definitely recommend hiring a planner! Hiring a wedding planner can help me keep the focus on you, while a planner can help with: vendor/venue search, setting up/ tearing down your reception and ceremony area, managing catering, making sure all guests are well attended, and more! It is great to come back from your ceremony and adventure to be welcomed with a beautiful setup. Just simply pampering yourself and your guests to take the headache away from all the logistics of planning & decorating.

California National & State Parks require a Special Use Permit in order to reserve your ceremony location. You can apply 6 months to 1 year ahead and within a minimum of 30 days before your date. Currently, elopements and intimate weddings are becoming more popular than ever, the permit office is receiving an influx of applications. As soon as you know your location (ceremony location), date, guest count, and discuss the time with your photographer, I advise you to apply immediately to ensure you have your date and time!

Some parks can take up to 1-2 months to process your request and they often only have 1 staff member working on the applications so please be patient!

I understand it is so exciting to see your photos and I love sharing my quick 10-15 favorites between 48-72 hours after your elopement/wedding.

My turnaround time is 8-10 weeks and I take my time to make sure each and every single image is thought through as if my couples would print them.

It is a lengthy process to go through as I carefully decide which image best represents your love story and experience you had. It is my honor to be able to tell your story through beautiful and timeless photos and I don’t take this process lightly!

Yes! When you inquire with me and already have a general idea of where you want to get married, I will send a Pricing Guide specifically tailored for you. Within all of the packages, travel & lodging is included to avoid additional fees (which I hate!). If we change locations and require travel, I will send you a quote for the updated pricing for the new location!

You can book with me one year in advance but most of my clients book within 4-8 months! If you are looking to elope at a national park, keep in mind that permits can take up to 1-2 months to process during a busy season! I’m happy to help you speed up the application process and plan your day!

I always provide a plan A, B, and C for my couples. This is a great way to not only mentally prepare if something didn’t go according to plan, but also show couples that whatever happens, each plan is an amazing way to get married! Being flexible and open-minded is the key for success because at the end of the day, the most important thing is you are getting married to your best friend <3

If you would like to legally get married, an Officiant is required to fill out paperworks and conduct a legitimate ceremony! Anyone can be ordained (about $40 online to sign-up) and in my opinion, it makes your ceremony more official!

Some couples decide to have a legal ceremony before or after their elopement/wedding to avoid the hassle of signing a license.

There is no right or wrong way to do this but think about what kind of experience you would like to have!

Such a great question! The adventure session includes 2 hrs of photography including 100+ edited images on an online gallery! We can hike, adventure, have a picnic, and anything that describes who you are as a couple!

I like to think of myself as my couple’s go to person throughout their elopement or intimate wedding process! Here are some things I will be helping you with along the way:

-Scouting the location that best fits you as a couple
-Handle permit research and help with application
-Suggest ideas for your special day
-Custom Timeline Planning
-Be your guide and adventure buddy!

Yes! I believe the best way to remember your elopement/ intimate wedding is to have a physical product you can touch and hold.

It can be overwhelming to think about printing and where to hang them but I guarantee that you are going to love seeing your beautiful memories presented for you and everyone who visits to enjoy.

The gallery you will receive your images from is connected to a professional print lab and they offer a variety of amazing products!

If you are interested in creating an Album, I’d love to help with the process! We can add-on to the package when you inquire or after your elopement. But you won’t regret investing in a luxurious physical piece to hold your one in a lifetime memory.

Yes! My husband and I absolutely love the West Coast especially Oregon and Washington when we took a road trip up to Seattle. I absolutely love the variety of scenery that they offer that California doesn’t have. Arizona, Nevada and Utah are just a few of other neighboring states that are one flight away!

If you would like me to follow you to your dream location, fill out the contact form and let’s start planning your dream day!